Síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono e doenças cardiovasculares

Abstract

Introduction. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway, intermittently and recurrently during sleep. The main manifestations during sleep include snoring, pauses in breathing, sleep fragmentation, resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction and morning headaches. Besides the classic respiratory symptoms, OSAS results in metabolic and hemodynamic alterations that predispose to the development and worsening of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and arrhythmias. Objective. Reporting clinical, pathophysiological and diagnostic aspects of OSAS and its deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. Method. Review of literature about OSAS and its cardiovascular consequences through selected articles in PubMed. Conclusion. Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular diseases have multifactorial origin and high prevalence in the global population. Because cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of the current morbidity and mortality worldwide, determining possible treatable risk factors, such as OSAS, it is fundamental to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.